Affinity Strategies

Client Spotlight: The Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics

Amy Thomasson
August 05, 2021

For several years, Affinity Strategies has been providing association management for the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC). ACPOC supports professionals who serve children, adolescents, and young adults with various musculoskeletal differences. The organization is recognized as the worldwide leader of multidisciplinary rehabilitative care of children, adolescents, and young adults with musculoskeletal conditions. ACPOC offers an environment that promotes team collaboration with all medical professionals including, but not limited to, physicians, orthotists, prosthetists, therapists, and nurses.

ACPOC stemmed from origins over 50 years ago when a subcommittee was formed of the National Academy of Sciences and the Prosthetic Research and Development Committee. The goal was to raise the standard of prosthetic care for children in the United States by:

  • Evaluating experimental components
  • Disseminating information
  • Establishing criteria for clinic

By 1970, the subcommittee was charged to enlarge its sphere of activity to include children’s orthotics and mobility aids. By 1979 the general format of the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics was accepted. Annual conferences were expanded to include clinic chiefs and their team members. This format of annual interdisciplinary conferences hosted by selected clinics from the United States and Canada continues to this day. 

The members of ACPOC are truly changing the lives of children with limb loss or orthopedic disability. They also provide a host of resources for parents and other family members that can be found here: https://acpoc.org/parents/.

Interested in learning more about the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics? We encourage you to visit https://acpoc.org/.